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Facing southpaw, Gardner held out of lineup

Facing southpaw, Gardner held out of lineup

9/7/13: Brett Gardner drills a double into left field, plating a pair of Yankees in the bottom of the sixth inning

By Josh Vitale
/
MLB.com |

NEW YORK -- With the Yankees facing Red Sox southpaw Jon Lester, left-handed-hitting outfielder Brett Gardner was out of the starting lineup.

Gardner had started 12 consecutive games prior to Sunday and hasn't had a day off since Aug. 24 against the Rays.

Manager Joe Girardi said he liked the way some of the Yankees' other left-handed hitters matched up against Lester. Center fielder Curtis Granderson is a lifetime .281 hitter against Lester, while Gardner is just 2-for-11 against him in his career.

Girardi said he told Gardner to "be ready at any point," to enter Sunday's game. Gardner pinch-hit in the ninth inning, striking out against Brandon Workman.

Josh Vitale is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.